Padoin strikes winner

MILAN - A 72nd-minute strike by Simone Padoin allowed Juventus to celebrate their third consecutive Serie A title with a 1-0 win over Atalanta in front of a packed home stadium.

Antonio Conte's side were handed the title without even lacing up their boots yesterday when closest challengers Roma crashed 4-1 at relegation-haunted Catania.

Conte consequently gave his squad the day off, but any ill effects of their celebrations were well hidden as the Bianconeri dominated throughout yesterday to remain unbeaten against the Bergamo-based side since February 2001.

With two games remaining — Juve travel to Roma next Sunday and then host Cagliari on the final day of the season — the Turin giants have amassed 96 points and remain on course to become the first Serie A side to hit 100.

Carlos Tevez, who sits two goals behind Serie A goals leader Ciro Immobile (21), started on the bench for the hosts with Sebastian Giovinco partnering Pablo Daniel Osvaldo up front.

Atalanta came closest to breaking the deadlock on 25 minutes through Giacomo Bonaventura, but only a minute later Osvaldo's looping header forced Andrea Consigli to stretch and tip over.